- Gordon Franklin Pine-

LCDR Gordon Franklin Pine passed away peacefully May 18, 2012 in Louisville, KY. He battled multiple myeloma for 8 years and was treated at the Multiple Myeloma Institute in Little Rock, AR.

Gordon was born Feb. 6, 1932 in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Floyd and Ruth Stone Pine Bancroft and grew up in Columbus Junction, Iowa. He graduated in 1950 from Phoenix East High School, Phoenix, AZ and received an associate degree in Business from Phoenix Junior College.

In 1952, he entered the US Naval Aviation School, Pensacola, FL receiving his “wings of gold” in 1954 and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy. Gordon’s father taught him to fly at age 14. He loved to fly and flew several types of Navy multi-engine aircraft, including the C121 Super Constellation aircraft in Vietnam in 1968. He was a flag pilot of several Admirals in Brazil and England.

Gordon was a positive person with a curious mind and a keen sense of humor. He was very good at planning and carrying that plan through and he was an excellent handyman who could fix almost anything.

Gordon retired from the Navy in 1973 changing Navy careers to teach Navy Junior ROTC at Stuart Valley and Butler High Schools for 16 years. He proudly wore the Navy uniform for 40 years. He received his BA degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Counseling from Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Gordon was a genealogist and enjoyed learning about his ancestors. He and Pauline attended Elderhostel programs in the US and overseas.

A celebration of life service will be at Arch L Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40218. Visitation will be Thursday, 5-24-12 from 4-8 PM and the funeral will be at noon on Friday, 5-25-12.